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Columns: Driving for Dollars
Terry Jackson   Expert: Terry Jackson
Driving for Dollars
Don't take a financial loss to buy a better car
Driving for Dollars

Extra features not worth extra cost
 

Dear Terry,
On Aug. 4, I purchased a Chevy TrailBlazer LS that didn't have keyless entry, nor floor mats, for $26,400. I put no money down and traded my 2003 Toyota Corolla, on which I owed $7,900. They gave me $5,500 for it and tacked the balance on a new loan that was financed for 72 months at $541 a month. I want to trade it in for one with features I didn't get, but to refinance, the bank will only give me $23,000. Do you think I could try to purchase a new one even though I won't get much for this one? Should I let the bank finance it all at a much lower interest rate for 60 months?
-- Yolanda

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Dear Yolanda,
If I understand your question correctly, you're willing to take a loss of several thousand dollars on a vehicle you're already upside down on simply to get keyless entry and floor mats. I can't think of anything sillier than that. Stick with what you've got until the loan balance is less than what the car is worth. Spend $40 to buy some floor mats and suffer with using a key until then.


This week
Beware of lemon car buybacks
Should I trade to get the latest feautres?
When can I refinance my loan?
Can I consolidate two new car loans?
Bankrate.com's corrections policy -- Posted: Sept. 22, 2007
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